Combination undergarment

ABSTRACT

A feminine undergarment consisting of an upper brassiere member and a lower torso member such as a slip or a girdle. The brassiere member and torso member have lower and upper edges, respectively, stitched together along approximately one-half their circumference. The remaining portions of these edges are free and mutually overlapped. An elastic band is provided at the free upper edge portion of the torso member and is secured at its ends to the brassiere member. The bra member is split along a vertical line medially of its free lower edge portion, so that sections of the brassiere member at opposite sides of the split may be opened. Separable and adjustable means connect the openable sections together.

ELECTRICAL STIMULATOR AND MITTEN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known. electrical current can be pulsed through local regions of the human body to contract the muscles through which the current passes. When current flow is halted, the muscles are permitted to relax. Accordingly, the muscles can be exercised or flexed by passing a low frequency oscillating current therethrough. Such muscle exercise can be used to firm and strengthen the muscles for cosmetic purposes, or to massage and relax the muscles. Thepresent invention is primarily concerned with an electrical stimulator that is particularly adapted to accomplish all of these purposes.

Numerous devices have been used to apply oscillating current to regions of the body; however, each of these has possessed some disadvantages. For example, someof these stimulators are relatively rigid, and therefore are uncomfortable to maintain in continuous contact with the body. Such rigidity may be brought about. for example. by the use of numerous large conductive metal portions on the exterior surface thereof. Still other stimulators require the application of a conductive liquid or other flowable substance to the body prior to usage of the .stimulator. Other significant disadvantages of prior art stimulators is that they are generally difficult to construct and they cannot simultaneously pass current through both the facial and temporal nerves.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an electrical stimulator of simple construction which generally overcomes the disadvantages noted above. Construction is substantially simplified by using an intermediate ply and first and second outer plies with the intermediate ply being sandwiched between the two outer plies. Each of the plies are constructed of relatively flexible material and are joined together along peripheral portions thereof to define ahand receiving enclosure between the intermediate ply and the first ply. A portion of the peripheries of the intermediate and first plies are unjoined to define an opening for providing access to the enclosure. Thus, the three plies form amitten. As the three plies of material are all relatively flexible, they can becomfortably applied to the body and will easily conform to the contour thereof.

First and second spaced contacts are mounted on the second outer ply. and they are spaced sufficiently to contact the facial and temporal nerves simultaneously. It has been found that such spacing should be at least 1% inches and preferably 1% inches. in order to assure that both of the nerves can be simultaneously stimulated. The intermediate ply is constructed of electrically insulating material to electrically insulate the contacts from the interior of the mitten to preclude current flow to the hand of the user.

The contacts are supplied with electrical energy by a pair of conductors which may be electrically connected to a suitable source of low frequency oscillating current. The conductors extend along one face of the second outer ply. and are suitably.

retained thereagainst to prevent them from becoming entangled with the mitten or the surrounding structure. Such retaining means may be in the form of a tunnel on the outer face of the second ply or may be provided by running the conductors between the. second ply and the intermediate ply.

To eliminate the need for the user having to'coat a region of the body with a conductible flowable substance prior to usage of the stimulator, the present invention provides for the mounting of an absorbent pad on the mitten. The absorbent pad overlies both of the contacts and extends therebetween. The absorbent pad can be soaked or impregnated with a conductive fluid such aswater of a special conductive cosmetic preparation to thereby provide a conductive path between the two contacts.

To facilitate soaking of the pad and to permit soaking of the pad without wetting of the mitten. the present invention provides means for removably mounting the absorbent pad on the second outer ply. Such removable mounting means may include Velcro strips on the second ply and the pad. In another form of the present invention. such means includes cooperating connector members on the pad and the second ply with the connector member on the second ply forming at least a portion of the contacts.

To minimize the cost of replacement and to facilitate repair of the mitten. the present invention teaches that the electrical conductors may be removably connected to the mitten. In a preferred form of the invention, this is accomplished by mounting one connector member on the second ply and by fixedly attaching the end of the conductor to the contact. The contact includes a cooperating connector member which is interlockable with the connector member on the second ply to releasably interconnect the two connector members.

The invention. both as to its organization and method of operation together with further features and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the electrical stimulator in use.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one form of electrical stimulator constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and electrically interconnected to a source of low frequency oscillating current.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged. fragmentary, sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged. fragmentary. exploded, sectional view illustrating one of the contacts and the adjacent portions of the three plies and sponge.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second form of an electrical stimulator constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6 with the absorbent pad elevated. above the contacts.

FIG. 8 is anenlarged, fragmentary. exploded, sectional view illustrating one of the contacts and the adjacent portions of the three plies and sponge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referringto the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1-5 thereof, reference numeral 1 I designates an electrical stimulator constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention. As best shown in FIG. 3, the stimulator II includes first and second outer plies 13 and I5 and. an intermediate ply l7 sandwiched between the two outer plies. The intermediate ply l7 and the outer ply 13 are preferably coextensive and the outer ply I5 is slightly larger than either of the other two plies to permit the ply 15 to form a loop 19 which embraces the peripheral regions of the plies l3 and 17. The plies l3. l5 and 17 are thus interconnected along the peripheral regions thereof as by stitching or bonding.

Each of the plies 13, I5 and 17 are preferably constructed of a relatively flexible material so that they can readily adapt to the contour of the body portion which they engage. The intermediate ply l7 performs an insulating function. as described more fully hereinbelow. and accordingly, this ply should be constructed of a nonconductive material such as plastic which may be transparent. The outer plies l3 and 15 are also preferably constructed of a nonconductive material, and in the embodiment illustrated, the ply 13 is constructed of a transparent plastic material while the ply 15 is constructed of a soft decorative fabric. Alternatively. all three of the plies 13,15 and 17 can be constructed from a heat scalable plastic material to thereby permit joining of the peripheral edge portions thereof with a heat sealing technique.

As shown in FIG. 3. the plies l5 and I7 cooperate to define a hand receiving space or enclosure 21. Edge portions 23 'PATENTEI] JAN 1 9 m Q INVENTOR:

LEONARD A. ROSNER COMBINATION UNDERGARMENT This invention relates to new and useful improvements in feminine undergarments, and in particular the invention concerns itself with a combination undergarment which consists of an upper brassiere member and a lower torso member such as a slip or a girdle.

An undergarment commonly known as a brassiere-slip has been in existence for many years, but it has not enjoyed much popularity because the integral connection of the brassiere and slip members made itdifficult for the garment to be donned and removed. The donningof such a garment was usually performed by stepping into-itand then pulling the brassiere member over the torso, which was a rather clumsy procedure. Some efforts have been made to overcome this difficulty by making the brassiere member split and thereby openable in the manner of a conventional brassiere, but here another difficulty arose in that the connection between the slip member andthe openable section of the brassiere member was lost and gapping resultedwhen the brassiere member happened to creep upwardly and/or the slip member happened to creep down. Moreover, in order to avoid circumferential gathering or over-stretching of the slip member in the region of the brassiere member, it was not possible to utilize circumferentially adjustable means for connecting together the openable sections of the brassiere member. and thus the brassiere member lacked the highly desirable adjustment which is customarily provided in conventional brassieres.

Another well known undergarment which combines a brassiere member with a lower torso member is a corselette wherein the lower torso member is in the form of a girdle, either short or panty type with legs of various lengths. To facilitate donning and removal, a corselette is usually split vertically at the side or front and is provided with a slide fastener at the split edges. Here again, the slide fastener does not afford any circumferential adjustment, and while some old, heavy corselettes utilized circumferentially adjustable means such as hooks and eyes along the full length of the split, the adjustment had to be made uniformly along the full length and it therefore was not possible to adjust the brassiere member and the girdle member independently of each other. Under contemporary manufacturing conditions, combination garments such as corselettes are made in sizes where the bust, waist and hip measurements are proportioned according to average development and thus, facilities for adjusting the brassiere member independently of the girdle member are highly desirable, especially where the lower torso of the wearer is completely encased, as in a panty corselette.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide a combination undergarment of the brassiere-slip or corselette type which eliminates the above outlined disadvantages of such conventional garments, which may be conveniently donned and removed, and in which the brassiere member may be circumferentially adjusted independently of the lower torso member. More particularly, the garment of the invention embodies a brassiere member which has approximately one-half the circumference of its lower edge stitched to the corresponding upper edge portion of the lower torso member, the latter being either a slip or a girdle, as already indicated. The remaining portions of the lower edge of the brassiere member and of the upper edge of the torso member-are free from each other, but are vertically overlapped. This overlap is substantially increased by an elastic band which is secured to the free upper edge portion of the torso member and underlies the brassiere member so as to safeguard against possible gapping and also to provide a desirable support at the waistline. The brassiere member is vertically split medially of its free lower edge portion, thus providing openable sections which facilitate donning. The openable sections are connected together by separable fastener means which are also circumferentially adjustable, thus permitting adjustment of the brassiere member independently of the lower torso member.

With the foregoing more important object and features in view and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds. the invention will be understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like parts, and wherein:

FIG. I is a rear perspective view showing the invention embodied in a brassiere-slip;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front elevational view of the brassiereslip with the openable brassiere sections thereof in the open position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary rear elcvational view of the subject shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view through the medial plane of the garment, with the brassiere sections closed; and FIG. 5 is a fragmentary rear perspective view on a reduced scale, showing the invention embodied in a corselette.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail. FIGS. l-4 show the invention embodied in a brassiere-slip which is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and consists ofa brassiere member 11 and a slip member 12. In the illustrated instance the brassiere member corresponds to a longline brassiere and the slip member corresponds to a half slip. However, the brassiere member may be of the bandeaux type, in which event the length of the slip member above the waist may be correspondingly increased. The slip member 12 may be made of any suitable nonelastic material such as nylon fabric, or the like, and may have a lace edging 13 at its lower edge, if so desired.

The brassiere member 11 per se is of a more-unless conventional construction which need not be: described in detail inasmuch as the same may be varied so as to provide various shaping and supporting features, as is well known in the art. Such construction usually involves the provision of a number of panels which are stitched together along their contiguous side edges, and some of these panels are usually made of elastomeric material which is stretchable at least in the circumferential direction. For illustrative purposes, the brassiere member 11 is shown in the drawings as embodying nonelastic front panels 14 which together with elastic front lateral panels 15 underlie the breast cups l6, elastic side panels 17 and elastic back panels 18. g i

An important feature of the invention resides in the particular manner in which the brassiere member 11 is connected to the slip member 12. This is accomplished by shirring the upper edge of the slip member and stitching approximately one-half the circumference of that upperedge to the corresponding lower edge portion of the brassiere member. The upper edge portion of the slip member which is thus connected to the lower edge portion of the brassiere member is indicated at 19, while 20 designates the stitching. As shown, these stitched edge portions extend along approximately one-half the circumference of the garment, being located across the front of the garment and spanning the circumferential dimension of the front panels l4, 15. However, the circumferential length of the stitched edge portions may be somewhat greater or lesser, as desired.

The remaining portions of the upper edge of the slip member and of the lower edge of the brassiere member, indicated at 21, 22, respectively, are free and detached from each other around the sides and back of the garment. However, these free edge portions are vertically overlapped as will be apparent from FIG. 4, with the upper edge portion 21 of the slip member projecting into the brassiere member above the free lower edge 22 of the latter. Moreover, a circumferentially yieldable elastic band 23 is coextensive with and has its lower edge stitched as at 24 to the free upper edge portion 21 of the slip member. The ends of the band 23 are secured to the brassiere member at the ends of the free upper edge portion 21 of the slip member, as for example, by the stitching 25 existing between the brassiere member panels 15 and 17. It will be apparent that the elastic band 23, which may be of substantial width or vertical dimension. say on the order of 2 or 3 inches. effectively extends the vertical overlap of the free edge portions of the brassiere and slip members, so that any gapping at this point is completely eliminated. Also. the elastic band is detached from but underlies the brassiere member panels l7. 18 at the sides and back of the garment. thus providing an effective support for the small of the back as well as an effective waistline cinching action.

As will be clear from the foregoing. the brassiere member 11 is split at the back along a vertical medial line extending upwardly from the center of the free lower edge portion 22 between the two back panels 18. Thus, the side and back sections of the brassiere member, as represented by the panels l7, 18, are openable as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to facilitate convenient donning of the garment. These openable sections are separably connected together by conventional means well known in the art, as for example, a row of hooks 26 provided at the side edge of one panel 18 for selective engagement with two or more rows of eyes 27 provided on an attachment strip 28 at the side edge of the other panel 18. Such fastener means afford not only a separable connection, but also an adjustment in the circumferential direction to assure proper fit of the brassiere member, and it is to be particularly noted that this adjustment is possible independently of the slip member 12, without any gathering, bunching or over-stretching of the slip member, inasmuch as the shirred upper edge of the latter, as well as the elasticity of the band 23, enable the slip member to readily adjust itself to the circumferential yieldability of the brassiere member and also to the circumferential adjustment of the fastener means 26, 27.

It may be noted at this point that although the drawings show the slip member 12 combined with the brassiere member 11 which is openable at the center of the back, this is for illustrative purposes only and the teachings of the invention are equally applicable to a garment wherein the brassiere member is openable at the center of the front. Thus, the terms front" and back" as used herein are interchangeable and may be oppositely construed in the instance of a front opening garment.

FIG. illustrates the invention embodied in another type of combination undergarment, namely a corselette 30 including the brassiere member 31 and a lower torso member in the form of a girdle 32, which may be either a short girdle or a parity girdle with legs of any suitable length.

The embodiment of the invention in the corselette 30 is much the same as in the brassiere-slip already described, except that the formfitting girdle 32 is substituted for the loose-fitting slip 12, while the brassiere member 31 is a substantial equivalent of the brassiere member 11. The girdle member 32 of the corselette 30 may be of any suitable conventional construction which usually includes circumferentially yieldable elastic panels. and thus it is not necessary to shir the upper edge of the girdle, as in the instance of the shirring of the upper edge portion of the nonelastic slip member 12. However, the free upper edge portion of the girdie member 32 which is not stitched to the brassiere member 31 preferably is also provided with an elastic band which freely underlies the brassiere member. in the same manner as the elastic band 23 of the brassiere-slip garment 10. As in the instance of the brassiere-slip, the circumferentially adjustable fastening means 26, 27 of the brassiere member 31 of the corselette 30 permits that brassiere member to be adjusted independently of the girdle member 32, this being of particular advantage when the girdle member itself is not adjustable or where an adjustment of the girdle member corresponding to that of the brassiere member would not be satisfactory from the standpoint of proper overall fit of the garment.

I claim:

1. In a feminine undergarment, the combination of a lower torso member and an upper brassiere member, said brassiere member having elastic yieldability in the circumferential direction, said torso member having an upper edge which for approximately one-half its circumference is stitched to the corresponding portion of the lower edge of said brassiere member, the remaining portions of the upper edge of the torso member and of the lower edge of the brassiere member being free and detached from each other but being vertically overlapped. said brassiere member being split along a vertical line medially of its free lower edge portion whereby sections of the brassiere member at opposite sides of the split may be opened to the extent permitted by their free lower edges, separable means connecting together the split edges of said openable sections of the brassiere member, and an elastic band substantially coextensive with and stitched along its lower edge to the free upper edge portion of said torso member, said band underlying said openable sections of the brassiere member.

2. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said separable connecting means are adjustable in the circumferential direction.

3. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said elastic band are stitched to the brassiere member at the ends of said free upper edge portion of the torso member.

4. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said torso member is constituted by a slip of nonelastie material, the upper edge portion of the slip which is stitched to said brassiere member being shirred.

5. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said torso member is constituted by a girdle having elastic yieldability in the circumferential direction. 

1. In a feminine undergarment, the combination of a lower torso member and an upper brassiere member, said brassiere member having elastic yieldability in the circumferential direction, said torso member having an upper edge which for approximately one-half its circumference is stitched to the corresponding portion of the lower edge of said brassiere member, the remaining portions of the upper edge of the torso member and of the lower edge of the brassiere member being free and detached from each other but being vertically overlapped, said brassiere member being split along a vertical line medially of its free lower edge portion whereby sections of the brassiere member at opposite sides of the split may be opened to the extent permitted by their free lower edges, separable means connecting together the split edges of said openable sections of the brassiere member, and an elastic band substantially coextensive with and stitched along its lower edge to the free upper edge portion of said torso member, said band underlying said openable sections of the brassiere member.
 2. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said separable connecting means are adjustable in the circumferential direction.
 3. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein the ends of said elastic band are stitched to the brassiere member at the ends of said free upper edge portion of the torso member.
 4. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said torso member is constituted by a slip of nonelastic material, the upper edge portion of the slip which is stitched to said brassiere member being shirred.
 5. The undergarment as defined in claim 1 wherein said torso member is constituted by a girdle having elastic yieldability in the circumferential direction. 